Oxidative stress‐induced renal telomere shortening as a mechanism of cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity

Due to the association of oxidative stress and telomere shortening, it was aimed in the present study to investigate the possibility whether cyclosporine‐A exerts its nephrotoxic side effects via induction of oxidative stress‐induced renal telomere shortening and senescent phenotype in renal tissues of rats. Renal oxidative stress markers, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl groups were measured by standard methods. Telomere length and telomerase activity were also evaluated in kidney tissue samples. Results showed that cyclosporine‐A treatment significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced renal malondialdehyde, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, and protein carbonyl groups levels, decreased renal telomere length, and deteriorated renal function compared with the controls. Renal telomerase activity was not affected by cyclosporine‐A. Renal telomere length could be considered as an important parameter of both oxidative stress and kidney function. Telomere shortening and accelerated kidney aging may be caused by cyclosporine‐induced oxidative stress, indicating the potential mechanism of cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity.     

Pro‐haemostatic effect of DDAVP is partially derived through non‐classical (CD14dim /CD16 ++) monocytes residing the spleen

The splenic endothelial Weibel‐palade bodies are one of the most important candidate organelles to release von Willebrand factor upon stimulation with desmopressin. However, the presence of functional desmopressin‐specific receptor has not yet been demonstrated on endothelial cells. Experimental evidences are in favour of an indirect pro‐haemostatic effect of desmopressin, but the exact mediator and its cellular origin are largely elusive. Here, we report partially hampered desmopressin response in a splenectomised severe haemophilia A/Beta Thalassemia patient without any genetic variant relevant to his incomplete desmopressin response. To further investigate the role of the spleen in this phenomenon, the release of VWF from desmopressin‐treated human splenic endothelial cells was assessed in vitro. As a result, desmopressin induced the release of VWF from endothelial cells when the cells were co‐cultured with non‐classical (CD14^dim/CD16⁺⁺), but not other subtypes of monocytes or PBMCs. This in vitro study which resembles close proximity of endothelial cells of sinusoids to monocyte reservoir reside in parenchyma of subcapsular red pulp of the spleen sheds a light upon the role of this highly vascularized VWF‐producing organ in driving indirect effect of desmopressin.     

Focus: Zoonotic Disease: Molecular Detection of Zoonotic Pathogens in the Blood and Tissues of Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Central Desert of Iran

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) play a major economic role in many countries in Africa and Asia. Although they are resistant to harsh environmental conditions, they are susceptible to a wide range of zoonotic agents. This study aimed to provide an overview on the prevalence of selected zoonotic pathogens in blood and tissues of camels in central Iran. Blood, liver, portal lymph node, and brain were collected from 100 apparently healthy camels at a slaughterhouse in Qom city to assess the presence of DNA of Brucella spp., Trypanosoma spp., Coxiella burnetii, and Bartonella spp. PCR products were sequenced bidirectionally and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Eleven percent of camels tested positive for Brucella abortus (3%) and Trypanosoma evansi (8%). Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella spp. DNA was not detected. Our data demonstrate that camels from Iran contribute to the epidemiology of some zoonotic pathogens. Performing proper control strategies, such as vaccination of camels and humans in contact with them, test-and-slaughter policy, and education of the general population is necessary for minimizing the risk of zoonotic infection.     

Enhanced ethanol and chitosan production from wheat straw by Mucor indicus with minimal nutrient consumption

Recently, Mucor indicus was introduced as a promising ethanol producing microorganism for fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates, showing a number of advantages over Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, high nutrient requirement is the main drawback of the fungus in efficient ethanol production from lignocelluloses. In this study, application of fungal extract as a potential nutrient source replacing all required nutrients in fermentation of wheat straw by M. indicus was investigated. Wheat straw was pretreated with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) at 120 °C for 1–5 h prior to enzymatic hydrolysis. Hydrolysis yield was improved at least by 6-fold for 3 h pretreated straw compared with that of untreated one. A fungal extract was produced by autolysis of M. indicus biomass, an unavoidable byproduct of fermentation. Maximum free amino nitrogen (2.04 g/L), phosphorus (1.50 g/L), and total nitrogen (4.47 g/L) as well as potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the fungal extract were obtained by autolysis of the biomass at 50 °C and pH 5.0. The fungal extract as a nutrient-rich supplement substituted yeast extract and all other required minerals in fermentation and enhanced the ethanol yield up to 92.1% of the theoretical yield. Besides, appreciate amounts of chitosan were produced as another valuable product of the autolysis.     

Natural parasitism of the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep.: Plutellidae) by a larval parasitoid wasp,Diadegma anurum on different cauliflower cultivars

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is the most serious pest of cauliflower fields in central Iran and its control is primarily based on pesticide sprays. Over the past years, a number of new pesticide compounds were introduced onto the market and some of them may cause adverse effects on natural populations of parasitoids associated with DBM. Excessive use of insecticides against the pest did not produce satisfactory results but has caused concerns about environmental pollution and increased pest resistance to chemicals. This research aims to study natural parasitism of pest on different cauliflower cultivars in the fields of south of Tehran. Dominant species of parasitoids include Diadegma anurum, Cotesia plutellae and Oomyzus sokolowskii. The highest parasitism rate was observed by D. anurum that was recorded on Buris cultivar (19.92?±?1.06) and White cloud cultivar (16.20?±?1.49) and the lowest parasitism rate was observed on Snow crown cultivar (3.42) and SG cultivar (5.00) during the season.     

Cytokine single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients’ with gallstone: dose TGF-β gene variants affect gallstone formation?

Gallstone is a common biliary disorder with several risk factors. Immune responses and inflammatory cytokines are important in this disease; as a result, some cytokines can be detected in bile fluid. In this research, cytokine gene polymorphisms were studied, and their effects on gallstone formation were evaluated. On 158 gallstone patients and 254 normal subjects, by PCR- RFLP method, IL-4-C590T polymorphism and by ARMS-PCR method, IFN-γ T+874A, TNF-α-A308G, IL-6 G-174C and TGF-β T+869C variants were studied. Pathologic evaluations were done on surgical specimens. There were no significant differences in distribution of evaluated polymorphisms between patient group and normal control group (P > 0.05), except TGF-β +869T allele (P = 0.04, OR = 1.23, 95 % CI = 1–1.79) which was higher in patients with gallstone. Although the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 may promote gallstone formation, in this study no significant correlation between TNF-α and IL-6 polymorphisms and gallstone formation was seen. It is taught that TGF-β may affect gallbladder cells to promote gallstone formation and higher producer TGF-β +869T allele can be a risk factor of gallstone disease, so further studies would be more elucidative.     

Gender identity and integration: second-generation Somali immigrants navigating gender in Canada

Many right-leaning politicians claim that normative Islamic perspectives on gender are at odds with the Western values and act as barriers to immigrant integration. Our interviews with 256 second-generation Somali-Canadians, however, suggest that gender-egalitarian identities are achieved – they are constructed and deployed by our participants to practice integration and express belonging in Canada. In this study, we move beyond analysis of attaining gender-egalitarian roles as a result of immigration and propose an understanding of gender as a form of Bourdieusian cultural capital that, depending on social values, functions as symbolic capital rendering individuals and groups as advantaged or disadvantaged. We, therefore, analyse modalities of “doing” gender as potential strategies of accumulating capital in furthering successful integration. Our study contributes to the emergent literature in migration studies that examines gender in relation to ethnic and national identities, and the extent to which it may impact integration experiences of second-generation Muslim immigrants.